Bosnian analyst Jasmin Mujanović has stated that Hungary under the leadership of Viktor Orbán had become an existential threat to the functioning of the European Union as a foreign policy actor.
In remarks to journalist Melissa Chan, Mujanović emphasized that Orbán significantly contributed to weakening the EU’s role on the international stage.
According to him, the Hungarian prime minister has also emerged as a key supporter of illiberal regimes in Europe, particularly in the Western Balkans.
Mujanović assessed that this approach has negatively impacted the EU’s cohesion and foreign policy, creating serious challenges for decision-making and unity within the bloc.
Hungary accused of cooperation with Russia
Orbán is also facing new allegations of close cooperation with Russia in efforts to ease EU sanctions on individuals and entities linked to the Kremlin.
According to reports by Reuters, concerns in Brussels have grown following the publication of materials related to alleged diplomatic communications between Hungarian and Russian officials, just days before Hungary’s parliamentary elections.
Investigative outlet Vsquare.org published a recording from August 2024, in which Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó is reportedly heard pledging to work with Slovakia to remove a relative of a Russian businessman from the EU sanctions list.
“We will do everything possible to have her removed from the list,” Szijjártó is heard saying in the recording.
In response, Szijjártó called the reports scandalous, claiming that foreign intelligence services had been intercepting his calls and releasing them at a politically sensitive moment ahead of the elections.
“A bad signal for Vučić”
Orbán, during his tenure, was frequently criticized by Brussels for undermining democracy and opposing support for Ukraine following the Russian invasion.
However, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić described him as a “great friend” and said relations between the two countries were at a “historic high.”
Vučić himself has faced criticism from Brussels over ties with Moscow and Beijing, as well as concerns over the rule of law in Serbia.
“With Orbán’s loss, Vučić has lost an important ally and representative within the European Union. It was an authoritarian brotherhood between the two leaders,” said analyst Aleksandar Popov.
He added that the defeat of Fidesz sends a “negative signal” for Vučić, as it may encourage opposition voters.
“It has been proven that Orbán who had the support of both Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, and who ruled Hungary for 16 years can be defeated by a political newcomer who founded his party just two years ago and led it to victory,” Popov concluded.
